Getting the most from this great hobby!
An old boss of mine had a favourite expression (which he attributed to Einstein). It was ‘the definition of insanity is constantly repeating the same action and expecting a different result’. It was an expression that always made me smile. I still remember the first time it suddenly occurred to me that by this definition...
"Insane Pianist?"Continue reading
One common theme amongst we amateur pianists seems to be frustration with how long things can sometimes take us. We’ll often ask ourselves the question as to why aren’t I improving on piano. We’re programmed to believe that if we keep practising, then we should be seeing improvements all the time. Yet, the tough reality...
"Why aren’t I improving on piano?"Continue reading
I read a comment in an online piano forum some time ago that ‘if you practice with tension, you’ll play with tension’. Whether this was a quote from somewhere or a personal observation, I can’t be sure. However, this really resonated with me as, like many, I’m prone to tension in my playing. Does this...
"How to practice piano without tension?"Continue reading
Back in January, I was browsing through the usual ‘New Year’s resolution’ type posts on Facebook. In one of the Piano groups of which I’m a member, someone posted ‘what is the technique you’re going to be working on this year’? I innocently responded that my primary goal was to become a better musician. I...
"To become a better musician"Continue reading
Having the opportunity to discover more music through streaming platforms such as IDAGIO is one thing about the modern age that I have to admit I really love. For a relatively modest monthly fee, we have access to pretty much unlimited music by our favourite artists. We also have an opportunity to explore different composers...
"At last, I can listen to piano music on the go!"Continue reading
This might look like a somewhat odd title for an article. Don’t worry, I’m not going to try to introduce you to a ‘walking dead’ equivalent of piano playing. I’ve adapted a borrowed expression ‘Zombie Learners’ to Zombie Pianists to describe an interesting phenomenon. Over the past weeks, I have come across a number of...
"Zombie Pianists"Continue reading
When we discuss sight reading, we are generally taught a very narrow way of thinking about it. Sight reading is taking a piece we have never seen or played before and attempting to produce a (hopefully musical) performance of it on the spot. For many of us, it is a skill that will be judged. ...
"Sight Reading on piano – an additional view"Continue reading
I have come to the conclusion that if you put 2 pianists in the same room, you’ll get 3 opinions! Even on topics as ‘fundamental’ as what is piano technique and how to develop it. We often see things declared as ‘facts’ (such as ‘all great pianists do scales’ or ‘technique must be built using...
"Piano facts or mere opinions?"Continue reading
Heinrich Neuhaus, in his book The Art of Piano Playing, makes a curious statement. He states that a certain type of piano practice should be viewed as an Emergency Exit for pianists. By this, he explains that it is something that should be used ‘in extremis’ (when all else fails). He likens it in fact...
"Emergency Exit for Piansts"Continue reading
My last update on my YouTube journey thus far was back in May 2019. We’re into into January 2021 after a very odd year in 2020. I thought it good to do a YouTube Progress Update as at December 2020. Important Numbers A YouTube channel gets paid a small amount of money whenever an ad...